FreeNet

Please use this page to write a short summary of your article, and a link to your article. You may want to write it out first, so in the rare event that two people are on this page at the exact same time, you do not lose any information. Please, do not get fancy with fonts or anything. Just leave these three items:

1. A summary 2. A link 3. Your name

**1. Internet Filtering: Beware the Cyber Censors:** This article is the second in a series on censorship by Barbara Miner who opposes the filtering of the internet in schools because she feels it is akin to the censoring of books in the school library by some arbitrary, biased individual or group. Miner, along with others, such as Brock Meeks and Declan McCullagh feel that filtering programs are “a bait-and-switch maneuver” not just aimed at porn but at the restriction of political speech. While the protection of "children from pornography on the internet is clearly an important issue,” Miner sees filtering as the practice of imposing a “moralistically and politically narrow view of the world.” Another concern with filters is that while they do block out “smut” – but not always that well – they also restrict access to legitimate information on the internet. A study showed that the use of filter can limit between 90-99% of information available on the internet. For example: · The non-filtered search for “NAACP” listed 4,000 documents. The Family search produced 15 documents. ·  The non-filtered search for “Thomas Edison” came up with 11,552 documents. On Family Search: nine. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) feels that the solution to internet safety via the use of filters is worse than the problem. Teachers and parents must take a more active role in teaching students to use the internet responsibly and not leave it up to computer software or search engines. 2. [] 3. David O. White

1. "__**Can a Public School's Library Block Pro-Gay Websites? An ACLU Lawsuit Says No"**__ While this article is not specifically about removing all filters from schools, it does address the need to loosen the restrictions that most filters place on student learning. Because many filters use keywords or phrases to block imformation, students are forced to research and make conclusions using incomplete information. This will often lead to an uncleear understanding of a topic or issue. Because of this, schools should investigate relieving some of the restrictions imposed by the filters they use.

2. []

3. Jesse Blackburn

_

1. The article __School Filters vs. home proxies__ began by telling the story of a child who was caught distributing business cards that included information on how to bypass the school filter. Rather than a traditional suspension, the child's punishment was to educate the school technology people on how he accomplished this task. The idea was that this would allow them to keep other children from bypassing the filters. The article went on to discuss how other schools are handling this issue and the difficulty they are having. The article included several responses from both technology administrators and students. Students overwhelmingly felt like the blocks were both prohibitive and easily bypassed. One student spoke specifically about projects in health class related to a unit on the side effects of using drugs and in history classes on topics like "God in the Constitution" and "Muslim bombings" that he was unable to research because of filters. One respondent, not identified as student or adult, stated that "it's foolish to put more effort into ways to keep students from illegitimate activity than into ways to reward successful efforts to learn. Invisible internet fences snuff out innovative impulses in some kids and totally confuse other kids who can conclude "the Internet isn't useful." It goes on to speak to the idea that schools should "punish those offenders appropriately for partaking" (in inappropriate sites). It also adresses the need to guide children to develop self-control and exercise good judgement. There were additional comments that spoke against censorship and to the implementation of appropriate consequences.

While technology administrators spoke to the difficulty in truly blocking all inappropriate sites, adults who monitor school labs spoke to the ease with which they could track any site a particular computer visited. They spoke about classroom management being a key to monitoring students and to quick and meaningful consequences for inappropriate use. One adult adressed the need for students to understand the grave consequences associated with computer misuse in the business world. This adult happened to end with "good luck admins. I know it's gotta suck to have to deal wiht snot nose brats all day." My assumption is that this adult has not spent a great deal of time in schools and has not desire to do so.

Like this article, I found many where children had legitimate concerns about specific incidences where they were unable to research topics that they needed or found helpful to children their age. The combined views of the difficulty associated with truly filtering, and the ability of many children to bypass filters was a perspective the I had not previously thought about. In fact, in my search I actually found a utube that addressed this topic. As both a parent and teacher, these ideas complicate my opinions about computer filters in schools. Are the filters making us comfortable to the point that we are not monitoring students adequately?

2. Website referred to: []

__3__. Sue D. Keffer ADMS 560: Instructional Strategies Using the Internet Module 3

1. Stumbling Blocks: Playing It Too Safe Online Will Make You Sorry

This article focuses on the frustration of a high school teacher in dealing with filters. The filters intended to keep kids away from pornography (Child Internet Protection Act) are also stopping teachers from accessing cutting edge widgets and digital materials that would have enormous potential for expanding learning. Some suggestions proposed in the article are: getting teachers using Web 2.0 tools, teach good digital citizenship, focus on educating children and provide supervision. Finally, advocating for access is a essential.

2. http://www.edutopia.org/web-2.0-tools-filtering-firewalls

3. Nanci Scharf

1. WHAT DOES INTERNET BLOCKING SUGGEST TO STUDENTS? --Thursday, 4th June 2009 by Shelly Blake-Plock

This article holds a strong position that schools should not use Internet filters in their schools. The author attempts to make a connection between what the Chinese government is doing in regards to limiting access to Internet content and what is occurring in our schools. The rationale behind this perspective is that students need to learn to filter the content for themselves. Teachers are well equipped to guide students on the ethics involved in making browsing decisions for themselves. Furthermore, it’s better that students are taught these skills in the safety of a school, rather than being left to figure it out on their own. The author feels that the practice of filtering is a disservice to students and democracy.

2. []

3. Chad Armstrong

1. In My Opinion: The filter is bad for education A survey was conducted by the New York Times about filtering the internet in schools. Ted Nellen wrote this article. He taught for years in NYC before becoming a professor, author, and conference speaker and is angered by the survey. He knows from first hand experience that filtering is not popular amongst teachers. He argues that only 1,900 people took the survey, and how can that tell us what "most Americans" think. He also makes that point that children are at school using a filtered computer while supervised by adults and then go home to use an unfiltered computer where most are not supervised. Educators know what information they need to teach and are capable of filtering their own material. They do not need to be censored by the district they work for.

2. http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech058.shtml

3. Krissy Cutter

1. **Anonymous Proxies** This article discusses the futility of school filters and firewalls. Many savvy students know how to use proxies to access their social networking sites and others that schools believe they have filtered. A proxy "redisplays a web page or another website using a different URL so that the school filters don't recognize the site". The article says that students can google the word proxies and find directions on how to set up home proxy systems. It says that by the time the IT people in the school system discover a student attempt to foil the school’s blocking mechanisms, the student has already managed to set up new proxies. 2. [] 3. Lisa Thompson

1. "**Stop Blocking Online Content"** by John-Michael Poff (December 2008 issue of Edutopia magazine) gives numerous oppositions to online filtering in schools. It is written from a student's perspective, by a student, who tells the accounts of teachers' and other students' frustrations about filters. Poff lists stories and reasons online filters are unfair and limiting to students. Moreover, he discusses the Children's Internet Protection Act which states that librarians may not get E Rates on technology for their schools if they do not have "technology protection". This student vents his frustration of the types of things being affected by filters are not "obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors". In fact, even a teacher's blog was blocked. He compares using the internet to learning to drive...and says at some point folks need to learn to drive all by themselves without the adult worry of hitting a pole or having a crash. This high school student's perspective was very enlightening. 2.[] 3. Kim Doucette

1. Teachers desire flexibility with filters. This article summarizes the impact of blocking and filtering in the classroom. Chris O’Neal admits to the fact that there are safeguards that are necessary in the classroom to protect our students from certain types of “unguided”searches that would produce “unwanted” results. He also points out that some school districts have put into place some very restrictive measures blocking and limiting what students can do in the classrooms. He believes that school districts have overreacted.

He points out that educators are very smart people, and that we are able to make good decisions concerning web sites, and other “media-smarts” tools that would encourage the use of technology in the classroom. If given the opportunity, teachers will be able to show and guide their students through this process.

Teachers often complain that their students do not have access to teacher-guided blogs and wikis due to the restrictive blocks that are in place. If this continues, students will not be able to take advantage of these new technologies in the classroom.

According Mr. O’Neal, teachers will not expose their students to these new tools without proper instruction and guidance. Classrooms need these new tools to make learning more productive. Teachers can guide students concerning these strategies, and tools without overreaction. As educators, we prepare our students with anything else, why would we not do the same with this? 2.[] 3. Pam Diggs

1. Chinese citizens do not want mandatory filters on their computers

The Chinese government is going to require filtering software on all new computers purchased in China. The government wants politically and socially sensitive issues blocked from the people. Computer savvy people can probably find ways to get around the software, but the public opinion is that the government wants to prevent people from seeing true information that is going on in the world. There is also speculation that the software becomes a surveillance tool once it is installed on the machine. The government may then have access to everything that is on the computer, and can find all kinds of information about individual people. Big Brother is getting closer, and the people in China are upset about these filters. They would rather have a free net.

2. []

3. Heidi Miller

1. **“The Free Expression Policy Project - A Think Tank on Artistic and Intellectual Freedom”: **This article presents History and Background on Internet Filters, the Operation of Filtering Software, and it talks about the “Children’s Internet Protection Action” (CIPA). More importantly it talks about the major problems with Internet Filters. The article lists several problems with filters: (1) restricts research into health, science, politics, and other educational areas; (2) sets up barriers and taboos rather than educating youth about media literacy and sexual values; (3) replaces educational judgments by teachers and librarians with censorship decisions by private companies; (4) exacerbates the digital divide between lower-income families and higher-income families.

2. []

3. Dinah Robinson

1. **"Why Filters Won't Protect Children or Adults" by Nancy Kranich** This article discusses the problems of using an Internet filter and why they should not be used in libraries or Education despite a federal law that mandates such use. In summary the author states: "Children as well as adults need to learn for themselves the critical viewing and information skills that will lead them to make good judgments about the material that they encounter on the Internet and elsewhere. "

2. []

3. Stephanie Teri

1. __"Waste Not, Want Not" by Jamie McKenzie__ This article was written by Mckenzie to awaken the reality and benefits of freely using the internet. McKenzie also recognizes and questions the limits being set by school systems. "Sadly, many school districts act swiftly to minimize the benefits of their networks. It is as if the mere connectin of classrooms to a global network is the end purpose of the project." The article recommends considering the signficance of global communication, informat literacy, and email as being vital parts of researching to reach a more concrete, "real", understanding of a concept. McKenzie concludes by stating "networked schools and new technologies might improve the reading, writing and reasoning performance of students as long as adequate investments are made in professional development and support, these imporvements will be undercut and undermindeed if schools, administrators and districts act to choke off the benefits of their networks by restricting access..".

2. []

3. Sandy Gillenwater

1. Are school Internet filters reasonable? Wayland Student Press

I went a little different on this. I found an actual discussion from a high school in Massachusets. The amount of technological savvy these students possess amazed me. They understand how much bandwith their school had ("actually we don’t have a dsl line, it’s a 50/20 Mbps FiOS connection. the standard comcast home connection is 4/.384 Mbps, and the standard FiOS home connection is 5/2. The previous high school connection was an 8/1. at current consumption level there is no shortage of bandwidth, and a 50/20 connection IS a large amount of bandwidth. plus there’s fiber running between all the buildings at the high school and all of the wireless (and wired) networking gear is new. bandwidth is no longer such a big problem at the high school "). I don't have a clue what they are talking about. They also made comments like "if you are desperate to get somewhere, there are always ways. It is a simple matter to get to Facebook and other sites, and it only requires a little extra typing". They also went on " the filters aren’t primarily for bandwidth, but more to meet a Mass DOE requirement that the school internet connection be protected from inappropriate sites." I am not aware of any such requirement in Virginia. They also have someone who is monitoring all student usage "ms.pressman can monitor all computers all the time, if a website is extremley vulgar, she can just log them off".

It seems that filters are in imperfect science and students who have the know how will get around them anyway. There are sites telling you how to beat filters ([]) and ([] that come up easily on google. Perhaps opening the internet up to students and reducing filters will save school divisions the resources of time and money.

2. []

3. David Bridi

1. "Internet Filters Ruled Constitutional" This article is a summation by the Student Press Law Center in Washington DC, of the ruling by the "U.S. Supreme Court that the federal government did not violate the First Amendment by requiring public libraries to place Internet filters on their computers in order to receive some federal funding." The article goes on to express the opinions of many who believe the internet filters are in violation of the right to free speech. Under the law filters are reqired by Schools and Libraries to protect against information that is 'dangerous to minors.' A minor is described as someone under the age of 17. However in many high schools there are students who are of age and are still blocked from the content on the internet.

I agree with David...filters are not yet perfect. They do block information that is often helpful and legit and on the other hand, they can cause harm to users who are irresponsible.

2. []

3. Marsha Caudill